SINGAPORE: Thailand's Chief of Defence General Songkitti Jaggabatara was conferred Singapore's highest military award, the Darjah Utama Bakti Cemerlang (tentera) or Distinguished Service Order (Military) by President S R Nathan at the Istana on Thursday afternoon. The medal was awarded to General Songkitti for his role in strengthening the excellent defence ties between the Thai and Singapore armed forces. General Songkitti, who is on a three-day official visit to Singapore from January 12-14, also called on Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean and Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General Neo Kian Hong on Thursday morning.